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SUFFOLK, VA – The Suffolk Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications from Gates County high school seniors and college students through its website: suffolkfoundation.org.

The award amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000. All scholarships are intended to pay for educational costs for a student to attend college, university, or trade school in the fall.

There are five scholarships available to Gates County students through the Suffolk Foundation. This includes the AMADAS Industries Scholarship, which is open to students planning to study agricultural technology, engineering, or a manufacturing-related skilled trade, and the Oliver K. Hobbs, Sr. STEM Scholarship, which is for students who plan to major in science, technology, engineering, or math.

The Suffolk Foundation’s largest scholarship is in partnership with the Obici Healthcare Foundation and targets local students who commit to returning to (or staying in) Suffolk, Gates County, or Western Tidewater to pursue a career in healthcare. The Obici Scholarship is for $10,000 per year, for up to four years total for undergraduate study. Recipients of the Obici Scholarship will be invited to apply for additional scholarship funding for up to four more years of post-graduate study.

Last year two students from Gates County won the prestigious Obici Scholarship: Taylor “Grace” Legg and Jacy Keith, both graduates of Gates County High School.

The Suffolk Foundation’s application is a common application, meaning applicants can be considered for up to 17 different scholarships (depending on eligibility) through the one application. The application is online at www.suffolkfoundation.org, and the deadline to apply is Friday, March 21.

This year, the Suffolk Foundation will also award a $1,000 “Just Because” Scholarship, in a random drawing of those who applied and were not awarded any other scholarship.

All of the Suffolk Foundation scholarships were generously established by local families, businesses, and other groups, who work with the foundation to establish criteria and a selection process. Anyone can start a scholarship program through the Suffolk Foundation. To learn more about establishing a scholarship of your own, contact the foundation at 757-923-9090.